9/19/16: Are We Lazy?

The writer of Proverbs learned a lesson one day:

“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man” Proverbs 24:30-34 (NKJ).

The Hebrew word for lazy is “`atsel” [aw-tsale’] which means “indolent.” We don’t use the word “indolent” too much, so I looked that up too. It means “having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful.” In pathology, the word means “causing little or no pain; inactive or relatively benign, [for example], an indolent ulcer is not painful and is slow to heal.”

Do we find ourselves with a disposition to avoid exertion? Are we trying to be as inactive as possible so as to encounter the least amount of pain or strain upon ourselves? Let me say it this way: Are we vying only for the “cushy” positions? Or maybe we have a job, but we’re performing it in a lackluster fashion. We’ve become ulcers in the workplace; not ruffling many feathers, just moving at an agonizingly slow pace and not getting anything worthwhile done.

The passage above sees the end of a road traveled in such a way. While we lazily sit around bellyaching about not having enough money, our poverty is sneaking up on us like a prowler, and our needs are readying themselves to overtake us like an armed man.

Ten chapters earlier, this same writer proclaimed, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” Proverbs 14:23 (NIV). Let’s take to heart the lesson of the day: it doesn’t pay to be lazy. Let’s give our work our all, no matter who’s looking.

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Mission Trip Update! 21 days to go! NOW THERE’S A $1,000.00 MATCHING GRANT! All donations sent between September 1 – September 26 will be matched up to $1,000.00. That means you’ll actually be helping with double the amount you send! I still need $1,055.00 – $1,555.00 for lodging, food, visas, gift books for the women’s conference, etc. Please do not hesitate. I really need your financial donations now. Donations so far have covered my air travel and my vaccinations.

The trip has been narrowed down to KENYA and ZAMBIA! I’ve seen the proof of the posters that will be passed out and the billboards that will be placed throughout the cities. I will be teaching at the Leader’s Seminars, encouraging the ladies at the Women’s Seminars, and preaching at the evening crusades. People travel all over the world every day, but it’s my first time and I’m pinching myself being sure it’s all actually real! Thank you in advance! You can give three ways: